Sheet metal fence post



Aug. 21, 1934. K COLE 1,970,737

SHEET METAL FENCE POST Filed May 25, 1932 J 1; MW H ywwwz- Patented Aug. 21, 1934 H t 1,970,737 sr n'zrzrr METAL FENCE Pos'r "Elmer K. 001s, Winterset, Iowa, assignor to Wei- 1 Lock Manufacturing Company, Winterset, lowaia corporation'of Iowa 1 Y 1 Application; May, 23,

1932,,Serial 613,078

i The object of my invention is tolprovide a simple "and-inexpensive fence'post which may be formedof sheetmetal and whichmay be easily setgandirrconnection therewith improved means '5 for'anchorin'gguard'cables. V

More'specifically it is. the object of my invention to provide in a sheet metal fence post animprov'ed'ghard cablesupporting bracket and means for attaching the same to the post, wherein the 310 said bracket will be positively and firmly connected to the post, and at the same time provide means for strengthening the walls of the post, my improved bracket being particularly adapted to be used in connection with that type of sheet metal posts having one side open.

My invention consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of the various parts of the device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter more fully set forth,

2C1 pointed out in my claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating a sheet metal post and the manner in which my improved cable supporting bracket is attached thereto.

Figure 2 is a detail horizontal sectional View taken through one of the brackets.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a perspective view illustrating the reinforcing block used in conjunction with anchoring the cable supporting bracket.

Referring to the accompanying drawing, I have used the reference numeral 10 to indicate a fence post formed of a flat piece of sheet metal folded on its longitudinal center to form side members 11. The free edges of the side members are folded inwardly to form back members 12 to form a hollow post of substantially triangular cross section. The members 12 are comparatively narrow so that an opening 13 is provided in the back of the post, said opening permitting the operator to coat the inner surface of the post with paint or other moisture proofing material if so desired. The opening 13 also permits tamping dirt in the lower end of the post at the time it is being set.

My improved cable supporting bracket is preferably formed of cast metal having a body portion 14, one end of which is provided with a transversely arranged opening 15 for receiving the guard cable 16. The opposite end of the bracket 14 is bifurcated to form flanges 17. The inner surfaces of the flanges 17 are designed to fit 5,5,. the outer faces of the wall members 11, in the l Supported within the manner shown in Figures 1 and 2, with the body 14" supported laterally from the :front edge. or corner of'the post. J l

post opposite each .ofthe brackets 14' 1 have providedxa reinforcing block 18.. preferably formed of comparatively thin metaLflhaving itsredges' provided with an upwardly extending flange. 19, said block being designed to fitthe innerisurfac'es'of the postin the manner clearly illustrated in Figure 2.

The bottom side of the block is provided with a groove 20 extending from the center of its back edge to the apex end of the block. The bracket 14 is secured in position by means of a bolt 21, one end of which is supported in a screw threaded opening 22 in the inner end of the body 14, said bolt extending through the opening 13 and through a hole 23 in the front edge of the post, the said bolt passing through the groove 20 of the block 18.

By this arrangement it will be seen that the bolt 21 supports the said block 18 against downward movement at the time the said block is placed in position. A washer 24 is supported on the outer end of the bolt for clamping the edges 12 of the post to the back edge of the block 18.

It will readily be seen that after the parts are placed in position, rotation of the bolt 21 will cause the washer 24 to be clamped against the back edge of the block 18, and the inner edges of the member 1'7 of the bracket to be clamped against the outer faces of the members 11 in such a manner that all of said parts are firmly clamped together. The block 18 reinforces the side walls of the post when the washer 24 and c the flanges 17 are clampedin position, and provides a rigid connection between the bracket 14 and the post.

It will readily be seen that any force applied to the bracket will be distributed evenly to the entire surface of the post, in such manner that the bracket cannot be torn loose without destroying the post.

The opening 15 is supported horizontally to receive the guard cables 16, the body 14 being of considerable length to permit the cables 16 to be supported a considerable distance in front of the post, thereby providing means for protecting the post to a certain extent in case the guard cables are struck by a vehicle moving longitudinally of the cable.

The openings 15 are slightly larger than the cable to permit the cable to move freely through the brackets, taking up the tension of the cables.

By threading the cable through openings llil formed in the bracket, very strong and light means is provided for supporting the cable. Any auxiliary fastening devices such as bolts or rivets are entirely eliminated, thereby eliminating possibility of the connections between the brackets and the cable becoming loose due to vibration of the cable. v

I claim as mylinvention: p, a

1. A cable support for hollow sheet metal fence posts comprising a body member having 'dfi' 'e'r'i'cl provided with a longitudinal screw threaded opening and terminating in a bifurcated portion, the other end being provided with a tr"5i1'ver s'ly arranged cable receiving opening,, areinforcing block formed to fit the inneli surijace lfiollo w fence post to which the support is attached hav ing its under surface provide a groove, a washer, a bolt extending through said Washer, the groove of said block and into the screw threaded portion of said body.

; 2.TA .c'able support for hollow sheet, metal fence postsmomprising a reinforcing. block having sides tapered toward each other and shaped tent and engagethe inner sides of a post and being formed with ahbolt dpening, .a cable supporting bracket comprising ,aHbody, portion shaped to fit and engagethe 'outeris'ides of .a fence post and having alc'ablesup'p'orting extension formed with acable receiving opening at its outer end, said exengage the inner sides of a post and being formed with a bolt opening, a cable supporting bracket comprising a body portion shaped to fit and engage the outer sides of a fence post and having a cablesupporting extension formed with a cable receiving opening at its outer end, said extension being formed with a screw threaded opening at its inner end, and a bolt extended through said reinforcing block and into said screw threaded opening for clamping the fitting sides of the reinforcing block and the said bracket against the adjacent innerand outer surfaces of "a post,and a Washer on the bolt of "a diameter substantially the. same as that "of the width of the adjacent side of the reinforcing block for clamping the rear marginal edges of a-post against the reinforcing block.

nLMER K; ooLE. 

